Everene Rutledge

Sister Everene Rutledge was born to the late Rosa Mae and Sam Williams on December 28, 1942, in Durham, North Carolina. Everene was the third oldest of five children. When she was very young, her parents relocated to Columbus, Ohio. Everene’s birth name was derived from two relatives named Evelyn and Irene, whom she was named after. Her family members nicknamed her Evelyn. However, later, friends affectionately nicknamed her Evie and the name then flourished.

Evie attended Columbus public schools and graduated from East High School in 1960. After graduation, her career path began at the Youth Correctional Facility/Training Institute of Central Ohio (TICO). She later accepted a position at Battelle Memorial Institute and retired after 45 years of service as a Senior Administrative Assistant in the Safety and Transportation Department. While at Battelle, Evie served on the Battelle Ethics Committee, traveled to Battelle offsite offices to plan and facilitate office setups, completed several business management and software training courses, co-sponsored Battelle’s Secretaries Committee, and assisted with the coordination of Martin Luther King programs, Bingo party, and other on-site events.

Furthermore, she coordinated weddings and funerals, and served on the East High School Reunion Committee. Evie was highly respected by management, co-workers, and friends.

At an early age, Evie confessed a hope in Christ Jesus, and accepted the Lord as her personal Savior. Baptized by Rev. James P. Fincher, she became a member of the Gay Street Baptist Church. In 1952, Evie became a member of Shiloh Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. James Parrish. On December 1, 1993, after Rev. Parrish’s Emeritus, Rev. Dr. Otha Gilyard, became the new pastor at Shiloh. Evie loved Shiloh, the Shiloh church family, and held utmost respect for Rev. Gilyard. She was a faithful servant who was very active in the church. Evie was dependable, had good ideas, and could be trusted.
She served as Chair of the Women’s Day Program, Trustee Board Member, Shiloh Family Institute, Ladies Usher Board, 100th Year Anniversary, and several other committees. Evie remained an active member until her health began to decline.

Evie and Lisa have a cherished relationship, and once granddaughter Nia came into their life, she and Don shared a satisfying and special fulfillment in their life. Additionally, Evie, Hattie, and Louise are true “sister-friends.” Not only are they sisters, but they are close friends who share a sisterly bond between each other, their faith, family, and friends. Moreover, “special friendships” with Pearl Washington, Jenny Gary, and Dianna Stevens have remained strong for up to 50 years. Many loved Evie, but she had a way of making each person feel as though they were her BFF or Bestie! Equally, Evie has been a good friend. She has been supportive, authentic, honest, helpful, understanding, gave much of herself, and was fun to be around.

At the age of 77 years old, Evie is welcomed into the company of her ancestors; her mother and father, Rosa and Sam Williams; brothers, Samuel and McArthur Williams; niece, Karen King; and great-niece, Tania Martin.

Her memories will forever be cherished by her husband and caretaker, Donald Rutledge; her loving daughter, Lisa Turner; granddaughter, Lauren Turner; devoted siblings, Hattie (ST) King and Louise Dixson; niece, Tina Dixon; nephew, David Dixson; brother-in-law, Martin (Marilyn) Rutledge, sisters-in-law, Darlene (Tim) Britford; and many others within the extended reach of what we know as family, including aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and devoted friends.

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